Let's talk about the role of the school board trustee

What is a School Board Trustee and what do they do?

There are a total of 11 elected trustees that represent the WRDSB (4 in Kitchener, 3 in Waterloo, 3 in Cambridge, and 1 in the Township of Woolwich/Wellesley). You can click here to learn more about them and click here to see the list of certified trustee candidates in Kitchener for the upcoming October 26th election.

As a reminder, if you live in Kitchener, you will only be able to vote for the trustee candidates registered in Kitchener (like me!), but all elected trustees represent the entire WRDSB.

In Kitchener, there are NO trustees seeking re-election, which makes this election even more important.

Check out "School Board Trustees - Who are they? Why are they important?", provided by Ontario Education Services Corporation (OESC) and summarized below:

School board trustees are the members of the district school board. They are locally-elected representatives of the public, and they are the community's advocate for public education. They are required to carry out their responsibilities in a manner that assists the board in fulfilling its duties under the Education Act.
A trustee's role is to maintain a focus on student achievement and well-being and to participate in making decisions that benefit the entire board district while representing the interests of his or her constituents. Trustees must also communicate the views and decisions of the board back to their constituents.
This is not as simple as it sounds. Because Ontario is large and diverse, the job of school board trustee varies widely. A trustee is responsible for identifying the needs and priorities of their community and for ensuring these are considered in the decisions that result in practical educational opportunities for students. In doing so, trustees must mediate among conflicting interests and values. A trustee must do this in collaboration with the other members of the school board by developing policies that work for all students, and ensuring they are implemented effectively. Whether it is consulting with communities on how the board will provide French Immersion programs or offer before and after school programs or name a new school, it is the local trustee who makes sure that the community has a direct way to express its views on vital education decisions that affect our day-to-day lives. School trustees play an indispensable role in preserving our democratic heritage.
The school trustee is a member of a team, responsible for establishing policy direction, accountable to the province, accountable to their electorate, and is a community leader.

You can learn more about the Roles and Responsibilities of a School Board Trustee on the WRDSB website.

Brent has the skills and experience that are necessary to effectively fulfill the role of the school board trustee.